“ ‘Graphic novel’ is a term used by librarians, educators, and booksellers to indicate a publishing format - books written and illustrated in the style of a comic book,” (scholastic). A graphic novel unlike a traditional graphic novel is more of a comic book style whereas a traditional graphic novel is more text. Maus I is a nonfiction graphic novel about Vladek Spiegelman and how he survived the holocaust. Art Spiegelman, being Vladek’s son, asks his father to tell his story. Art Spiegelman, who created Maus I after, uses people depicted as animals, him being the author and illustrator, and uses people depicted as animals. There is currently a debate about if Maus I should’ve been written as a traditional novel or if it’s good being a graphic novel. Maus I is well written as a graphic novel because it increases the interest rate, the visualized symbolism is shown through the pictures,and graphic novels are an easier way to teach history.
To begin with, Maus I made a good choice when being written as a graphic novel because it increases the interest rate. According to Scholastic, “Graphic novels powerfully attract kids and motivate them to read”. Basically, what this piece of text is saying is that kids are more likely to read graphic novels than actual books. Although some people may argue that Maus I is a book that kids shouldn’t read due to it not being suitable for all ages. However, it says “Still, graphic novels are very popular among teens and young adults” (Concordia University-Portland). In other words, this text is saying that graphic novels also are popular among young adults which is a good time to be able to read Maus I.
Another reason Maus I was well written as a graphic novel was because of the way the illustration provides context clues due to how there was symbolism shown through the images of people made as animals.This means that some people will still disagree saying that graphic novels’ illustrations can have violence, and or inappropriate images, for children that may read them. Although this might be true for some, this thinking is flawed because of how nowadays authors are making graphic novels more child friendly. Scholastic also says, “there is also a growing body of graphic novels that are free of such content and are suitable for all ages, including children.” (Scholastic). In other words Scholastic also believes that graphic novels can also be child appropriate, and not just for older audiences.
Last but not least graphic novels are an easier way to teach history, Maus I being one of these helpful graphic novels, according to Concordia University- Portland says “ After using the non-traditional text, the business professor reported that his students were more engaged with the subject manner, and even performed better on some test” ( Concordia University- Portland says) Basically Concordia University- Portland’s point is that graphic novels can help students and adults learn better and have a clearer way of learning. On the other hand some people may argue that this way of learning is not a way to help improve young kids' reading skills. However, this logic is false because Scholastic says “Graphic novels can also improve reading development for students struggling with language acquisition” (Scholastic). This basically means that graphic novels help with improving reading skills.
Maus I is well written as a graphic novel because of how it increases the interest rate, the visual symbolism shown through the pictures,and graphic novels are an easier way to teach history. Maus I increased the interest rate because of being a graphic novel due to how graphic novels interest young adults and kids. Maus I illustration provided context clues because it made the text easy to understand due to the symbolism shown by animals. Maus I made it so that it was easier to teach history, in this case it being the holocaust. Overall Maus I is a way that can be used to say that graphic novels can be a whole new learning style in the classroom.